Sky Sports pundit Jon Wilkin has fired back at comments made by RFL Chairman Nigel Wood regarding the future of Catalans Dragons and French involvement in Super League.
Wilkin, who was a studio analyst pre and post-Wigan Warriors’ victory over the French side in Paris at the weekend, responded to comments made by Wood which aired as part of the broadcast.
Wood, who was a key individual in bringing the Dragons into Super League in 2006, was asked about the French side’s 20-year stay in Super League, and what lies ahead for them.
The RFL Chair said: “Catalans have been a great success story. It was a strong rugby league-playing part of the world anyway.
“They came together as two clubs, Saint-Esteve and Treize Catalans, they built on the foundations they already had, and they’ve gone from strength to strength.
“We’ve got a club now that represents its region very well. It’s been to finals, it’s played at the Nou Camp in Barcelona. It’s represented the sport, and it represents the region very well, so I’m pleased with everything that’s happened over the last 20 years.
“Everybody enjoys having Catalans in the competition, but it’s business at the end of the day. We’re looking all the time to work with the French Federation, to make rugby league in France as strong as it can possibly be.”
Super League pundit Jon Wilkin responds to Nigel Wood comments
It was that final sentence that Wilkin picked out as the “most telling.” Catalans and Toulouse’s inclusion in Super League has always been a big debate, and whether they contribute enough to the competition in terms of finance and exposure.
Catalans and Warrington’s Challenge Cup Final at Wembley in 2018 only brought in an attendance of just over 50,000, but when you consider that both Hull KR and Wigan brought just over 56,000 fans this year, the argument for the French sides not bringing fans can’t really be used.
Firing back at Wood’s comments, Wilkin said: “It’s glowing praise from Nigel Wood, isn’t it? And then the last sentence, for me, is the most telling of it all.
“It’s like ‘isn’t this brilliant, but it has to be a business?’
“I’ll say this, if it has to be about business, then Huddersfield shouldn’t be in the competition. They don’t bring away fans. Minimal support. [They] rattle around a big stadium, bottom of the league.
“We’ve got to be really careful when we say something.”
The Giants have been tipped to be the team that falls out of Super League next season, with London Broncos, who recorded a 134-0 win over North Wales Crusaders at the weekend, all but confirmed to be their replacement, should the RFL make a change.
John Andrews
June 8, 2026 at 6:54 pm
RIGHT THEN LET’S HAVE AN HONEST VOTE FROM THE REAL RL SUPPORTERS IF THEY REALLY WANT THE FRENCH IN OUR LEAGUE? WITH THE POWERS THAT BE EVEN TRY FLOGGING THE GAME IN THE STATES BUT LET HISTORIC TEAMS FROM THE NORTH DIE YOUR WASTING OUR TIME & MONEY IT WILL NEVER TAKE OFF THE OTHER SIDE OF THE POND LET ALONE IN EUROPE!!!
Anonymous
June 8, 2026 at 8:32 pm
It can’t be expected that the French go to every away game. Catalan have more home support than Huddersfield. I’m no fan of Wilkin but in this instance he is right regarding Huddersfield. Little home support and even less away support. If they didn’t have Ken Davy they would have been gone a long time ago.
Anonymous
June 8, 2026 at 8:32 pm
Biggest disgrace was letting Nigel Wood back.
The Joker
June 8, 2026 at 10:46 pm
Having different teams in the competition is one thing. Seeing an empty stadium is another.
Huddersfield Giants take a bow please. Are you there? I can’t see you?